GH₵ 85m Taxpayer Funds Misused In Stadium ‘Rehab’ Contracts

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that a staggering GH₵ 85 million of taxpayer money was misused, with funds being funneled to favored companies for the supposed rehabilitation of three national sports stadiums in recent years.

According to Hon. Ablakwa, thorough parliamentary oversight has led him to a disturbing conclusion that Ghana’s failure to secure value for money in these contracts has resulted in an unprecedented international embarrassment.

He pointed out that had funds been managed more prudently, Ghana could have avoided the embarrassing situation of all its stadia being prohibited from hosting international competitions by CAF.

“The latest revelations dispel widely held views that our national stadia were simply abandoned by an incompetent NPP government. It turns out the real situation is worse — there was all along a corrupt create, loot, and share scheme with taxpayer funds in the name of stadium rehabilitation but only a few enriched themselves without Ghana benefiting.

“GH₵41.9 million Essipong (Sekondi) Rehabilitation; On July 14, 2023, the then Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. John A. Kumah (may his soul rest in peace) wrote to the Minister for Youth and Sports granting authorization for the rehabilitation of the Essipong Stadium. The contract was awarded to Cisdan Company Limited”.

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Ablakwa revealed that corporate records show Cisdan Company Limited is owned by Kelvin Ofori-Atta, a family member of President Akufo-Addo and his former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

He pointed out that by October 25, 2023, Cisdan had submitted an interim payment certificate for GH₵ 6,853,942.80, which was quickly processed and paid.

The sharp-eyed lawmaker further disclosed that numerous substantial payments have been made to Cisdan since then.

Ablakwa revealed that the Accra Sports Stadium renovation project came with a hefty price tag of GH₵22.4 million.

He noted that this cost was agreed upon on February 27, 2020, when the Ministry of Youth and Sports signed a contract with Coupbay Ghana Limited to renovate the stadium.

Family Ties To Stadium Contracts Raise Eyebrows

According to Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Coupbay Ghana Limited has ties to Kelvin Ofori-Atta, a politically connected individual with family links to the President.

Ablakwa highlighted the irony, given President Akufo-Addo’s past assertions that he would not operate a “family and friends” government, only to have numerous examples surface.

He noted that merely 24 days after signing the February 27, 2020 agreement, Coupbay Ghana Limited submitted an interim payment certificate on March 23, 2020, requesting GH₵ 11,223,895.03.

“By 3rd November, 2021, the Youth and Sports Ministry was demanding another payment of GH₵ 4,553,199.83 for Coupbay. Further tracking points to multiple payments to Coupbay”.

“GH₵ 21.1 million Baba Yara (Kumasi) Sports Stadium Renovation; On 6th April, 2020, the Ministry of Youth and Sports signed another agreement worth GH₵ 21,122,068.44 with Javkier Limited for the renovation of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium”.

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Ablakwa further disclosed that Javkier received official notification from the Ministry of Youth and Sports on March 27, 2020, confirming their successful bid for the contract.

He observed that despite the supposed renovations, the stadium still appears neglected, with visible signs of disrepair spanning over two decades.

The MP pointed out that on June 1, 2023, the Ministry of Youth and Sports certified Javkier, a company owned by the Arhin ladies, for payment, raising further questions about the contract’s legitimacy.

Hon. Ablakwa lamented that this embarrassing international incident was avoidable but for the pervasive corruption, blatant nepotism, rampant plundering of resources, incompetence, and utter disregard for the nation’s well-being.

He emphatically declared that President Akufo-Addo warrants impeachment, and the officials at the helm of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as the National Sports Authority, have proven themselves unfit to remain in their positions.

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